And so we begin the journey

I am sitting here thinking about what I've read in this class so far, and I am taken aback. I have already learned more than I expected! It is so interesting to see a culture that has been just so much a mystery to me. My "Culture Experience" with the Middle-East/Turkey has been movies and fictional books about a mysterious culture with startlingly barbaric rituals and ways of life. I read Armstrong and turn of the century accounts of travels and realize that, though there is some degree of barbarism, it's not nearly what they portray in pop culture formats. There is a simplistic beauty to the culture, with intricate rituals and strong beliefs. They are a strong-willed people with determination like no other for the simple right to survive as they see fit. I hope that, throughout this semester, I continue to learn about this culture and see who they are in a way that is fair representation. I hope that each adventure is more exciting, more transformative, and open my eyes more to the people I have never hoped to know. I am increasingly glad that I elected to attend this class and am looking forward to learning more.